BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN) 2012, 58 (1&2), 21-30

PK ISSN 0006 - 3096

A survey of ethnobotanically important trees of Central

Punjab, Pakistan
*ARIFA ZEREEN & ZAHEER-UD-DIN KHAN
Department of Botany, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to document the ethnobotanical
knowledge of local people on wild trees of eight districts of Central Punjab, viz.,
Vehari, Pakpattan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Nankana Sahib, Sahiwal, Sialkot and
Narowal. Regular field trips were made during 2008-09 and information was
gathered by interviewing local people. The plant inventory of 48 plant species
belonging to 23 families was constructed, including their utility by indigenous
people of respective districts for various purposes, i.e., medicine, fodder, fuel,
vegetables, fruits, timber, etc. Phenological behavior of plants was observed
either from February to June or July to January but some trees (4.2 %) were
found to flower throughout the year.
Key words: Ethnobotany, Trees, Medicinal plants, Central Punjab.
INTRODUCTION
The second largest province of Pakistan is Punjab comprising 205,344
2
km area, next to Baluchistan and is located between latitudes 27.42 and 34.02
N and longitudes 69.81 and 75.23 E at the northwestern edge of the geological
Indian plate in South Asia. Punjab, etymologically it is the land of five rivers
namely the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum and the Indus (Govt. of Punjab, 1994).
Four out of these five rivers are the tributaries of the Mighty Indus River. The
province comprises fertile river valleys, while sparse sandy deserts are found as
extensions of Rajasthan desert (India) and the Sulaiman Range (Pakistan),
including the Cholistan and Thal deserts. The Indus River and its tributaries pass
through the Punjab from North to South. The landscape is largely irrigated with a
network of canals all over the province. Intensity of the weather is noticeable
from hot and infertile southern region to cool Himalayan Mountains in the North.
The variation in temperature and rain fall occur throughout the year, however, the
temperature hardly exceeds the limit of 46C according to metrological records.
All soil types, i.e., sandy, clay and loamy are found in the province (Ahmad,
1986). The population of the province has been estimated as 70 million by the
Punjab-World Gazetteer (2009) and about half of the population of Pakistan is
owned by Punjab consisting of diverse tribes and communities, sometimes
known as castes. Punjabi is the common language of Punjab.
The science of ethnobotany, i.e., the relationship between people and
plants has made tremendous progress in recent decades and now the trend is
shifting from mere documentation of the indigenous knowledge to conservation
*Corresponding author: arifazereen@yahoo.com

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and sustainable usage of plant resources as well. Man has had close contact
with plants for his survival since prehistoric time. Plants both cultivated and
natural perform a vital role in the lives of rural people particularly in developing
countries. The main usages of plants include: sources of food, vegetables, fruits,
beverages, drinks, spices, condiments, etc. (Schutles, 1992).
Plants are also used as: insecticidal to protect the crops, wood for
making implements, utensils, tools, musical instruments, boats, oars and other
household goods; cordage, commercial plants, crude drugs, packaging material,
agricultural implements, fuel, for religious ceremonies and ornamentation (Shah,
2005). Plants have always been centrally important for the wellbeing of human
beings and will always remain so. Plants are primary producers, forming the base
of food webs and support almost all other forms of life. Information, foresight and
practices of local people can play their role through applied ethnobotany to
identify and find solutions to the problems of sustainable development and
conservation of plants (Hamilton et al., 2003).
In Pakistan the discipline of ethnobotany is at preliminary stage. Ahmad
(2007) conducted ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal study of Lahore- Islamabad
motorway (M-2) and recorded 81 plant species belonging to 44 families, having
medicinal value. Jan et al. (2011) gathered some ethnobotanical information on
62 plant species of Dir Kohistan Valleys. These plants were found in use by local
people as medicines and for other purposes. Ahmad et al. (2010) enlisted 62
grass species that were ethnobotanically important in Salt Range area of
Northern Pakistan. Khan (2009) and Ajaib et al. (2010) discussed the importance
of plant species having ethnoveterinary uses in Cholistan desert of Pakistan.
Sardar & Khan (2009) conducted an ethnobotanical study on flora of Tehsil
Shakargarh, District Narowal, Pakistan and the indigenous knowledge of local
people on 102 plant species of 62 families was documented.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The data was collected by regular visits to the study area, comprising
eight districts of central Punjab, during the year 2008-09. The ethnobotanical
uses were documented by interviewing the local people including common plant
collectors, herbal practitioners/Hakims, etc. A semi structured questionnaire was
used for interviewing people to collect ethnobotanical information. It was
crosschecked with existing literature on ethnobotany. The plant species were
collected, pressed and identified with the help of Flora of Pakistan (Nasir & Ali,
1970-1989; Ali & Nasir, 1990-1992; Nasir & Rafiq, 1995; Ali & Qaisar, 19922010).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The data collected was arranged in alphabetical order of family name,
botanical name, local name, part used, traditional uses with flowering period
(Table:1).

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Table 1: Plant Inventory of Central Punjab.

Sr.#

Family

Botanical Name/ Habit

Averrhoa carambola Linn.

Local
Name
Kamrnga

Part
Used
Fruit,
Shoots

Averrhoaceae

Bombaceae

Bombax ceiba Linn.

Simbal

Whole
Plant

Boraginaceae

Liyaar

Cordia gharaf (Forssk.)

Ehren. Ex Asch.
Cordia myxa Linn.

Ehretia laevis Roxb.

Koda

Oroxylum indicum (Linn.)

Vent.

Talwar
phali

Whole
Plant
Whole
Plant
Whole
Plant
Whole
Plant

Bauhinia racemosa Lamk.

Jhinjera

Stem,
Leaves

Cassia fistula Linn.

Amaltas

Whole
Plant
Whole
Plant
Whole
Plant

Caesalpinaceae

Lasura

Capparidaceae

Crataeva adansonii DC.

Berna

10

Combretaceae

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.

ex DC.) Wt. & Arn.

Arjun

Terminalia
bellirica
(Gaertn.) Roxb.
Terminalia chebula Retz.

Bahra

11
12

Harar

Stem,
Fruit
Whole
Plant

23

Traditional Uses and Flowering Period

Fruit is eaten raw or cooked. Juice of twigs removes
stain from linen. Fl. Per. January-February and
August- September.
Musical instrument Dholak is made from its wood.
Young root- tips are cooked as vegetable. Extract of
flower cures leucorrhoea. Fl. Per. December-March.
Plant is used in hepatitis and against infections after
injury. Fl. Per. April-June.
Leaves are used in treatment of jaundice. Fl. Per.
March-April.
Bark of the plant cures diphtheria. Fl. Per. MarchApril.
Bark and fruit are used in tanning and dyeing, also for
the treatment of animals stomach problem. Wood is
used as fuel. Fl. Per. May-August.
Inner bark gives fiber that is used for ropes. Green
leaves are eaten by cattle. Gum and leaves are
medicinally important. Fl. Per. March-June.
Bark is used as tanning material. The pod pulp is
used for tonsils and motions. Wood is used as fuel. Fl.
Per. April-June.
Bark cures urinary bladder stones. Fl. Per. MarchJune.
Fresh juice of leaves is used to cure earache. Leaves
are eaten by cattle. Stem and branches are used as
fuel wood. Fl. Per. April-May.
Wood of the plant is not very durable and fruit is used
in dyeing and tanning. Fl. Per. March-April.
Astringent, purgative, stomachic and laxative. Used
for healing wounds. Fl. Per. April-June.

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Table 1: Continued
13

Euphorbiaceae

Ricinus communis Linn.

Arind

Whole
Plant

14

Fabaceae

Sukhechain

15

Malvaceae

16

Meliaceae

Pongamia pinnata (Linn.)

Merrill
Tecomella
undulata
(Roxb.) Seeman.
Azadirachta indica (Linn.)
A. Juss.

Whole
Plant
Whole
Plant
Whole
Plant

Cedrela toona Roxb.ex

Willd.
Chukrasia
tabularis
Adr.Juss.

Tun

19

Melia azedarach Linn.

Bakiain

Whole
Plant

20

Swietenia
macrophylla
King
Acacia modesta Wall.

Mahogany

Stem

Phulahi

Stem,
Leaves

22

Acacia
(Linn.)Delile.

nilotica

Desi Kikar

Whole
Plant

23

Albizia
Benth.

(Linn.)

Siris

Whole
Plant

17
18

21

Mimosaceae

lebbeck

Lahura
Neem

Dalmara

Whole
Plant
Stem

Decoction of stem and barriers used in rheumatic

swelling and arthritis. Seeds are used in scorpion
sting. Fl. Per. Throughout the year.
Used for brushing teeth Miswaak and also used as
shade tree. Fl. Per. April-May.
Bark possesses medicinal properties. Fl. Per. AprilMay.
Inflorescence and leaves are used in blood purifying
and malarial medicines. Its wood is used for second
quality furniture. Fl. Per. April-May.
The plant yields timber of good quality. Flowers yield
a dye. Bark is used in medicines. Fl. Per. March-April.
Tree yields timber for furniture. A yellow gum is
obtained from the plant that is astringent. Fl. Per.
February-April.
Used for timber and fuel wood. Leaves used as
fodder. Flowers and leaves are applied as poultice in
headache. Fl. Per. March-April.
Wood is used for house hold furniture. Fl. Per. MayJune.
Wood is used in farmer tools and as fuel wood. Fresh
stem is used as miswak. Leaves are used for
treatment of gas trouble. Fl. Per. March-April.
Gum increases human male sexual potentiality. The
leaves and fruits serve as fodder for cattle. Stem and
branches are used as fuel. March-May and AugustOctober
Fresh leaves are eaten by sheep. Wood is used for
medium class utilities. Seeds are used in the
medicines of human sexual problems. Fl. Per. AprilMay

ETHNOBOTANICALLY IMPORTANT TREES

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25

Table 1: Continued
24

Albizia
(Roxb.)Benth.

25

procera

Safed siris

Whole
Plant

Pithecellobium
dulce
(Roxb.) Benth.
Prosopis cineraria (Linn.)
Druce

Jangal
jalebi
Jhand

Fruit,
Stem
Whole
Plant

27

Prosopis glandulosa Torr.

Stem

28

Prosopis juliflora (Swartz)

DC.

Waliaty
Jhand
Phari Kikar

Ficus benghalensis Linn.

Bohr

30

Ficus racemosa Linn.

Gulhar

Leaves,
Bark,
Root
Fruits

31

Ficus religiosa Linn.

Peepal

Whole
Plant

32

Morus alba Linn.

Tut sufaid

Whole
Plant

33

Morus nigra Linn.

Tut siah

Moringa oleifera Lam.

Sohanjna

Fruit,
Wood
Whole
Plant

26

29

34

Moraceae

Moringaceae

Leaves,
Wood

Wood is useful in making furniture. Leaves are used

as fodder for animals. It serves as a shade tree. Fl.
Per. June-August
Fresh pulp of fruit is eaten. Wood is used as fuel. Fl.
Per. October-April.
Its branches, leaves and pods are used as fodder by
browsing animals while wood in agricultural tools and
fruit in the treatment of chronic dysentery. Fl. Per.
December-March.
Wood is used as fencing posts and fuel. Fl. Per.
March-September.
Bark is used to treat asthma and flowers to prevent
miscarriage. Wood is used as fence and fuel. Leaves
are eaten by goat. Fl. Per. March-June.
Leaf and root is used for increasing human male
sexual power. Stem is used in furniture utilities and as
fuel. Fl. Per. April-July.
Fruits are astringent and carminative. Wood is good
for making furniture. Fl. Per. March-May and
September-November.
Its leaves and shoots are purgative, moreover, used
for skin diseases. Wood is used as fuel and in quality
furniture. Fl. Per. March-October.
Fruit is used against tonsils and liver disorders. Wood
is used for sports items and for fuel. Fl. Per. AprilSeptember.
Fruit is edible, refrigerant and cools the blood.
Furniture is made from wood. Fl. Per. March-July.
Flowers and fruits are used in curries, seed oil for
lubricating machinery and branches as fodder. Fl.
Per. January-April.

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Table 1: Continued
35

Myrtaceae

36

Oleaceae

37

Palmae

38

Papilionaceae

39

Eucalyptus
citriodora
(Hook) K.D. Hill & L.A.S.
Johnson
Nyctanthes arbor- tristis
Linn.
Phoenix dactylifera Linn.

Safaida

Leaves,
Wood

Kuri,
Har
singhar
Khajoor

Leaves,
Flowers
Fruit,
Leaves

Butea
monosperma
(Lam.)Taubert
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.

Plata

Arial
Parts
Whole
Plant
Whole
Plant
Stem,
Leaves

Tali

40

Rhamnaceae

Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.

Bairi

41

Salicaceae

Populus
Olivier, Voy.

Bahan

42
43

Salvadoraceae

44

euphratica

Salix tetrasperma Roxb.

Bed-i-laila

Stem

Salvadora
Decne.

Van

Whole
Plant

Salvadora persica Linn.

Pilu

Aerial
Parts
Stem,
Fruit

oleoides

45

Sterculiaceae

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.

Tanbachi

46

Tamaricaceae

Tamarix aphylla (Linn.)

Karst.
Tamarix dioica Rroxb. Ex
Roth.
Grewia optiva Drummand
ex Burret

Frash

47
48

Tiliaceae

Ukan
Dhamna

Whole
Plant
Bark
Bark,
Leaves

Leaves cure headache. Wood is used as fuel, and to

make match stick and paper. Fl. Per. JuneSeptember.
Leaves and flowers are used for polishing and in
medicines as a febrifuge. Fl. Per. August-October.
Fruits are nutritive, laxative and useful in fever and
gonorrhea. Leaves serve as hand fans. Fl. Per.
March-April.
Leaves are used as fodder, flowers in sexual tonics
and wood as fuel. Fl. Per. March-April.
Stem is used in furniture and fuel. Its bark is used in
medicines of skin allergy. Fl. Per. March-May.
Fruit has medicinal value, wood is used for furniture
and fuel purposes. Fl. Per. September.
The wood is used for fuel, well curbs and for ternary.
Leaves are fed to the goats. Resin of bark has
medicinal properties. Fl. Per. February.
The bark is used as febrifuge. Fl. Per. OctoberMarch.
Used as fodder for cattle. Fruit is appetizer, laxative
and carminative. Wood is used for fuel and other
purposes. Fl. Per. March-June.
Branches and leaves are used as fodder. Ripe fruit is
of medicinal value. Fl. Per. March-June.
Fruits pulp is valuable for cattle. Bark is used in skin
diseases. Fl. Per. March-May and SeptemberDecember.
Wood is used in making furniture and as fuel. Fl. Per.
June-October.
Bark is externally applied as an ointment on ulcers
and piles. Fl. Per. April-November.
Leaves as fodder increase milk yield. Bark is used by
women for clearing hair. Fl. Per. April-September.

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ETHNOBOTANICALLY IMPORTANT TREES

27

Human activities have strong impact on plant communities with which

they interact, the humans themselves are also influenced by plants, such
complex interactions are the main focus of ethnobotany (Pie, 1999). Man has
been depending upon plants for his survival since ancient time. The plants are
used as food and fodder, source of honey for bees, cultural uses, source of
medicine, environmental uses and for gene sources, etc. The indigenous
knowledge on plants and their products is in danger of disappearing, forever.
Ethnobotanical awareness among people will reinforce the use of local remedies,
measuring the sustainability of local remedies and devise methods of transferring
knowledge from generation to generation (Martin, 1995). The present study was
conducted to evaluate the traditionally important trees from Central Punjab,
Pakistan with general information and their folk uses.

Fig., 1: Showing comparative number of species per use category.

It looks as if the people of Central Punjab depend on the local vegetation
for their various daily requirements, for example cutting of trees was seen in the
area. Utilizing wood as fuel and also its selling in the indigenous market as
timber and fuel wood was observed in different districts of Central Punjab.
People also collect the medicinally important plants, sell them in the local market
and also utilize them for the treatment of different human and domestic animal
diseases. They use local plants for various other purposes, such as agricultural
implements, roof thatching, mats and baskets, religious purposes, etc. As a
consequence, the natural tropical thorn forest of Punjab comprising Prosopis
cineraria (Linn.) Druce, Tamarix aphylla (Linn.) Karst, Salvadora oleoides Decne.
and Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew, is disappearing at alarming rate. Human
interference, uncontrolled urbanization, agricultural practices, grazing and
deforestation are posing tremendous pressure on the local flora and thus causing

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environmental deterioration. During ethnobotanical studies of the Central Punjab,

a total of 48 species belonging to 23 families were documented. A range of parts
of these plants were found in use e.g., roots (01 species), shoots (12 species),
flowers (01 species), fruit (07 species), wood (16 species) and whole plants (26
species), for various purposes. Most of the species are reported to have
multipurpose uses by the inhabitants of the respective areas e.g., Acacia
modesta, Acacia nilotica and Albizia lebbeck. These plants were reported in use
by the local inhabitants for medicinal purposes (38 species), fodder (14 species),
wild fruits (06 species), multifarious use (37 species), veterinary medicines (02
species), fire wood (19 species), farmer tools (03 species), furniture (15 species),
etc. (Fig.1).
Most of the plants found in the study area had medicinal value and for
this purpose, various plant parts were being used to treat various diseases like
dermatological problems (06 species), gastrointestinal disorders (12 species),
urinogenital problems (10 species), blood purifiers (02 species), general health
(03 species), fever (02 species), pulmonary diseases (05 species), arthritis (01
species) and jaundice (01 species), etc. The comparative number of plants used
for different diseases is presented in Fig. 2.

Fig., 2: Showing comparative number of plants used for different ailments.

It was noticed during the present study that several plants had the same
medicinal usage. Such observations have also been reported by different
workers (Ahmad et al., 2003 and Ashfaq et al., 2003). In a study conducted by
Sardar & Khan (2009) the indigenous knowledge of local people of Tehsil
Shakargarh, District Narowal, Pakistan was reported on traditional and medicinal
uses of plants and a total of 102 species belonging to 93 genera and 62 families
were recorded in use by local inhabitants for various purposes such as fuel,
furniture, fodder, medicinal, vegetables and edible fruits. Bussmann & Sharon

29
ETHNOBOTANICALLY IMPORTANT TREES
(2006) studied the use of medicinal plants in North Peru and about 510 plant
species belonging to 250 genera and 126 families were collected that were found
in use for medicinal purposes. Uprety et al. (2012) published the traditional uses
of medicinal plants in the boreal forest of Canada and also suggested the future
research perspectives. Mahmood & Shah (2012) conducted an ethnomedicinal
survey to collect data from traditional healers about the use of medicinal plants in
Poonch, District of Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 65 species distributed across
32 families were recorded in use to cure various diseases.
VOL. 58 (1&2)

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